What equipment is used to step voltage up or down in an electrical system?

The correct answer is a transformer, which is specifically designed to change the voltage level of alternating current (AC) electricity. A transformer operates on the principle of electromagnetic induction and can either step up (increase) or step down (decrease) voltage levels according to the turns ratio of its coils.

In a step-up transformer, the primary winding has fewer turns than the secondary winding, resulting in a higher output voltage. Conversely, in a step-down transformer, the primary winding has more turns than the secondary winding, producing a lower output voltage. This functionality is essential for efficiently transmitting electrical power over long distances and for adapting voltage levels to meet specific requirements for various electrical devices and systems.

While capacitors play a role in power factor correction and can store electrical energy, they do not change voltage levels. Regulators, on the other hand, maintain voltage levels within specified limits but do not necessarily step voltage up or down. Switching stations facilitate the routing of electricity but do not alter voltage levels like a transformer does.